May is Bike Month in Charlottesville, VA.

Help Us Celebrate National Bike Month

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - With spring in the air, the City of Charlottesville, and the League of American Bicyclists, the national organization of bicyclists, announce that May is National Bike Month.

Community members are invited to participate in local events that have been planned throughout the entire month. There are many events that will appeal to a wide range of biking skills – from “how to” classes, bike to school and bike to work days, to social bike rides and family activities. There’s something for everyone this Bike Month.

“This month is a great opportunity to bring awareness to biking in Charlottesville,” said Amanda Poncy, Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator.

The city has worked to provide a framework for enhancing the safety and attractiveness of walking and biking through various improvement projects and public programs. In 2015, Charlottesville updated its Bicycle and Pedestrian Master plan, which is available at www.charlottesville.org/bikeped, and implemented a number of projects, such as the McIntire Pedestrian Bridge and East McIntire Trail connections, with many more on the way.

In addition to expanding the bicycle and pedestrian network, the City encourages walking and bicycling by providing bike racks on all Charlottesville Area Transit buses, administering the Bike Rack Giveaway Program for businesses, Safe Routes to School programming, and sponsoring events, such as the Tom Tom Festival Public Art Bike Ride.

In addition to the Bike Month events, the city urges people biking, walking and driving to pledge to share the road safely. No matter how you get around everyone can experience Charlottesville better if we all follow the rules of the road.

Following are some tips that will help you enjoy biking more:

• Have your bike checked over by your local bike shop

• Always wear a helmet to protect your head in the event of a crash (if you are 14 and under, it’s the law!)

• Ride in the right-most lane that goes in the direction that you are travelling

• Obey all stop signs, traffic lights and lane markings

• Look before you change lanes or signal a turn; indicate your intention, then act

• Be visible and predictable at all times; wear bright clothing and signal turns

• When riding on trails, ride on the right and pass on the left. Always give an audible signal when passing
Even if you don’t ride a bike you can help those who do:

• Limit distractions from smart phones and other mobile devices.

• Always yield to the more vulnerable user—drivers must yield to bicyclists and pedestrians.

• Under Virginia law bicyclists are permitted to use the full lane. If you need to pass a bicyclist while driving, slow down and allow for three feet passing space between you.

For more information on events and safety tips visit: www.charlottesville.org/bikemonth

Contact Amanda Poncy at poncy@charlottesville.org or (434) 970-3720 for more information.

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Persons with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations by contacting ada@charlottesville.org or (434) 970-3182.